• In a small pot, combine rice, 3⁄4 cup water (11⁄2 cups for 4 servings), and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Cook until rice is tender, 15-18 minutes. Keep covered off heat until ready to serve.

• While rice cooks, wash and dry produce. • Halve, peel, and finely dice onion. Trim and thinly slice scallions, separating whites from greens.

• Place half the onion in a small bowl with cold water to cover. Set aside until ready to serve. TIP: If you added any other items to your meal (apps, sides, and/or dessert), you can get started on them now!

• Heat a large drizzle of oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add scallion whites and remaining onion. Season with salt. Cook, stirring, until softened, 3-5 minutes. • Add beef* and Southwest Spice Blend; season with 1⁄2 tsp salt (1 tsp for 4 servings) and pepper. Cook, breaking up meat into pieces, until beef is browned, 4-6 minutes (the beef will finish cooking in the next step!). TIP: If there’s excess grease in your pot, carefully pour it out. Heat a medium dry pan over medium-high heat. Add bacon*; cook, turning occasionally and adjusting heat if browning too quickly, until crispy, 6-10 minutes. Turn off heat; transfer to a paper- towel-lined plate. Once cool enough to handle, roughly chop.

• Stir in crushed tomatoes, beans and their liquid, stock concentrate, 1⁄4 cup water, and 1⁄4 tsp sugar (1⁄2 cup water and 1⁄2 tsp sugar for 4 servings). • Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until beef is cooked through and chili has thickened slightly, 8-10 minutes. (TIP: Reduce heat if chili begins to thicken too quickly; if chili seems too thick, stir in a splash of water.) Taste and season with salt and pepper.

• Fluff rice with a fork. Serve rice, chili, sour cream, cheddar, scallion greens, and diced onion (draining first) family style and let everyone build their own bowl. TIP: Serve with your favorite hot sauce! Serve chopped bacon alongside chili bar. *Ground Beef is fully cooked when internal temperature reaches 160°. *Bacon is fully cooked when internal temperature reaches 145°.